Freeway Park, located at 700 Seneca Street and built over Interstate 5 atop a freeway lid, was declared a city landmark on Wednesday.
The Landmarks Preservation Board in Seattle unanimously approved the park’s nomination as there was aThe five-acre park, built in 1976, spans the freeway and is supported by concrete piers and bridges, including a multistory parking garage. It provides a pathway for people to cross over the interstate.
“It bridges the freeway, it’s constructed on a lid that knits First Hill to downtown. It provides a pedestrian path between the two areas of the city, effectively kind of suturing together the canyon that was opened up by the construction of I-5. It’s this feature that makes Freeway Park really unusual,” said Chrisanne Beckner with Seattle Parks and Recreation.
The park has an irregular footprint and is 1,300 feet long with differing widths. It integrates lawns, plantings, pathways, large planting boxes and has dramatic water features.The park was designed so that it would shield people from the traffic sounds and smells of the city. Plants found in the park include rhododendron, sweetgum, Lebanon cedar and viburnum, just to name a few.
The luscious foliage was chosen when the park was being designed, with an understanding that the location would subject them to unusual levels of stress: “dehydration of foliage from wind funneled by adjacent structures; general abuse by pedestrians, automobiles, and animals; glare from cement or glass; and soil and maintenance problems,” according to the cityWhile natural parks undergo continuous evolution and change, Freeway Park has undergone alterations.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2 racehorses die in 2 days at Santa Anita Park in ArcadiaA colt and a filly, both 4 years old, died this weekend at Santa Anita Park, just the latest in a recent rash of racehorse deaths at the Arcadia racetrack.
Read more »
Woman injured in Oak Park hit-and-run; vehicle dragged bicycle down street, police sayAn Oak Park hit-and-run crash injured a 58-year-old woman near Home Avenue and Jackson Boulevard; a 21-year-old Chicago woman is in custody.
Read more »
ACLU, aldermen have doubts about Mayor Lightfoot's curfew and Millennium Park restrictions, downtown police deploymentsLeaders are scrambling to find a way to curb the downtown chaos caused by large groups of kids – which resulted in a 16-year-old boy being shot and killed in Millennium Park this past Saturday.
Read more »
Chicago's mayor, city leaders push to protect tourist attraction 'jewel' after fatal shooting at Millennium Park'Millennium Park is so much a part of the social and cultural fabric of our city. It is the number one tourist destination in the Midwest.'
Read more »
Opening May 21, beloved Memphis Kiddie Park celebrates 70th seasonIf you ever wondered what it would be like growing up in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, just ask Memphis Kiddie Park owner Russell Whitner.
Read more »